# 7 handy tips from a gapper currently doing a language course in Malta!
1. Buses are the main mode of transport in Malta!
If your stay/project period is 3 months or longer, be sure to apply for a transport card!
If you stay in Valletta like me it''s less of an issue, but if you stay in Sliema transport costs can be higher than you expect.
2. Malta is abroad (in Europe), but it''s still just a place where people live, so there''s no need to worry!
Don''t have the vague expectation that it''s vastly different from our country or automatically much better just because it''s foreign.
I also thought it would be very different before coming, but people are similar—only appearance and language differ :)
So, you absolutely don''t need to worry at all!
3. It''s easier than you might think to find Korean food!
There are quite a few Asian markets, so it''s really easy to get instant rice, seasonings, ramen, soju, etc.
They can be a bit pricey, but not much different from eating out at restaurants, so it won''t be too burdensome.
4. It gradually gets warmer in May!
I''m doing a language course in Malta during the March–June period,
from early May it starts to get warm during the day, and now the sun is very strong!
Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are essential! If you think your skin is sensitive,
it''s also good to bring something like aloe gel. I couldn''t bring it, so I bought it locally.
5. You don''t need to worry too much about the level you''re placed at in the language school!
Of course a higher level is nice, but it''s okay if you''re not at one! From my experience, gradually
if you adapt at your own pace and keep up, you''ll naturally become comfortable with English.
I''m still not there yet, but I found I''m better than I was three months ago. :)
Also, language schools arranged through Gap Year let you test your level once a week,
so you can take the test anytime you''re ready!
6. I hope you don''t feel pressured to have to accomplish or achieve something!
Of course I came here to learn English, but on the other hand,
I came to take a ''gap year'' to fully focus on getting to know myself :)
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So I think it''s better to focus on ''me'' during the time you''re given.
I discovered many of my strengths and weaknesses, and the things I like and dislike that I didn''t know when I was in Korea,
so I became less stressed about making choices than before.
If you focus on yourself like this, you''ll naturally be able to have a variety of experiences.
7. If you have the chance, definitely visit the Hypogeum!
I made some really great memories at the Hypogeum.
I think it''s a must-see place in Malta after Mdina.
You can feel the greatness of people from before the Common Era! And I recommend booking tickets online in advance.
I bought mine in person, but it was the last ticket so I paid 40 euros for it. :(
But it was so satisfying that I felt it was worth it.
One more tip: there''s a limit of 10 people per time slot, so booking can be a bit competitive!
That''s it!
I wish good luck to all future gappers who''ll be coming to Malta for language study :)
And just as I grew to love Malta... I hope you''ll come to like Malta too..!Thank you haha
